Work experience in Malta:

Malta, officially the Republic of Malta, is a densely populated developed European country in the European Union (joined in May 1, 2004). Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean Sea, south of the Italian island of Sicily across the Malta Channel. Only the three largest islands, Malta Island (Malta), Gozo (Ghawdex), and Comino (Kemmuna), are inhabited. The smaller islands are uninhabited.

Malta’s strategic location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean shipping lanes has always played a crucial role in the island’s history. Over the centuries the great Mediterranean powers have fought to dominate the islands, each new arrival leaving its legacy, thus making Malta a complex amalgam of ethnic influences. The Arabs introduced citrus trees and the flat-topped houses, and they laid the foundations for the Maltese language. The Aragonese, from central Spain, left their mark in the medieval architecture of Malta’s historic town centres and the enclosed wooden balconies of the typical town houses.

In 1869 the opening of the Suez Canal gave Malta's economy a great boost, as there was a massive increase in the shipping which entered the port. Ships stopping at Malta's docks for refuelling helped the Entrepôt trade, which brought additional benefits to the island. Presently Malta’s economy is dependent on foreign trade (serving as a freight trans-shipment point), manufacturing (especially electronics and textiles) and tourism. Tourism infrastructure has increased dramatically over the years. The country has also increased the exports of many types of services such as banking and finance.

Host Organisation
Paragon Europe is a Maltese business consultancy firm providing a variety of services and business solutions to both local and foreign clients. Following Malta’s admission to the European Union in May 2004, Paragon Europe has been successful in sourcing funds for EU projects submitted under a number of programmes, such as The Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP6), Leonardo da Vinci, Youth, Interreg III and EuroMed. Paragon Europe also co-ordinate information dissemination and valorisation activities, and organise delegate visits for the promotion of Maltese enterprises.

Language Course

The training course in Maltese will start on the next working day following arrival in Mosta. The classes will take place at the premises of Paragon Europe, alternatively at a local language school.
Classes will normally operate from Monday to Friday, 4 hours per day. Although the working language will be English once in the work placement, you are expected to make an effort to learn the basics of the Maltese language.

International and local travel

Travel to Mosta will be arranged by ETS, and will be by plane. The point of departure can be anywhere in the UK, although a London airport is usual. Flights will be booked according to price and availability. Upon arrival at Valletta airport participants will be met by the host organisation, and accompanied to their accommodation.
With Malta being a small island, local transport is reliant mainly on busses and taxis. Busses are relatively cheap.

Accommodation
Accommodation will be organized by the hosting organization and will be in shared self-catering apartments. Amenities include bedlinen and towels, weekly maid service, heating/cooling appliances, free maintenance service, internet connection (wi-fi), pay phone and cable TV.

Work placement
Malta offers many different opportunities of work experience, which will take place in and around the city of Mosta for 10 weeks.

Placements will depend upon past experience, qualifications and future aspirations.
Paragone Europe cooperates with a wide variety of professional organizations both in the public and private sector, voluntary firms, SMEs, NGOs and have contacts in the health sector, heritage, consultancy and environmental management, PR and marketing, engineering, tourism, hospitality, insurance and financial services.

Don’t forget, your placement is about more than work experience. As you’ll discover there’s always something to see and do in Malta!

To arrange a work placement in Malta:

apply here